cleaning up some old irons

[pxc]

I just bought a set of old Ben Hogan Edge Forged GS irons, 4-SW, for $25. I've wanted to try forged irons for a while and this is a really cheap way to do that. The grips need to be replaced and the heads are showing a bit of rust here and there. Not as bad as I would've expected really. I can post some pics later.

I soaked the heads in offbrand Coke and used a stiff nylon bristle brush to clean some of it off, so they are looking decent. However, on a few (especially the SW and the 6I) there are some stubborn surface spots, and at least one spot where the chrome or nickle plating has been worn down to the bare metal.

Anyone have some tips on how to care for these? I'm considering a trip to the hardware store to get some rust removal gel for the stubborn surface rust. For the spot(s) where the plating is just gone, is there much I can do beyond just treating the spot(s) with rust inhibitor?

Also, since these are from I think 1992, should I assume things like lie angle will need an adjustment since they're forged?

[kfowler]

I've always had good success using kitchen brilo pads. I'd give those a shot first before applying any chemicals.

[FHopper]

Hmmm, Copper is so soft. Copper plating is so easy to do at home. Forged irons with a renewable copper plating would be the ultimate butter. It would be interesting to reface the 6 iron with copper plating and see if you like it.

[pxc]

Hmmm, Copper is so soft. Copper plating is so easy to do at home. Forged irons with a renewable copper plating would be the ultimate butter. It would be interesting to reface the 6 iron with copper plating and see if you like it.

Any online tutorials for this? I've never done it but it sounds like the kind of project I would enjoy. I literally paid $3/club for these so if I mess up a little bit it wouldn't bother me much. I could conceivably go back and buy the 3I if it's still there and practice on that since I use a 3H and don't need the 3I.

[FHopper]

I googled
copper plating at home
and found some encouraging and some discouraging things. It sounds like the alloy of the club head will be a factor in the ease of the plating process.

[pxc]

Given that these clubs are from '92 and I don't have any history on them, will the lie angles be so bad as to be unplayable at this point? Or would they just be less than optimal?

[MizunoPlayer]

Given that these clubs are from '92 and I don't have any history on them, will the lie angles be so bad as to be unplayable at this point? Or would they just be less than optimal?

I would just take them in to your local golf store (that you trust) and have them bend them to the correct loft and lie. That way there is no guessing.